THANKS A TON!

My brother Samir and my family.

Vishwas Mokashi (trustvishwas) for his guidance from time to time.

Navendu (nav75) for his guidance and valuable suggestions.

Ninad Ambre (nin) - for the latest updates.

My friend Yash - for his helmet.

Sanjay, Anuradha and Aniruddha for being great company.

And all other xbhpians and friends who helped us making it a successful trip.

FLASHBACK (a tragedy included):

November 2011: The last time I covered some miles on my steed.
A much needed chillax ride to South. Somewhere in the middle of this ride, decided to get Leh'd in 2012 anyhow. So in order to save money, stopped riding long for next few months and used to ride to Lavasa twisties only.

In office: Informed my boss, I would need 20-25 days leave for my dream ride to Ladakh in June 2012. Since I am a valuable employee he agreed, **conditions applied. He asked me not to take any leaves in the next 6 months and also wanted me to split the vacation into two months (10 days in June end and 10 days in July beginning). Happily agreed.

Missed the Kutch ride with Mumbai-Pune junta which took place in January 2012.

When the plan was in "naabaalik" stages, we were only two riders: Dheeraj (my good friend and trustworthy riding partner) and yours truly.

February 2012: At Lavasa, C10 after Lavasa gate: ....unfortunately, Dheeraj met with an accident, smashed his left leg ankle very badly. I saw the complete incident. I felt like a someone tied a big boulder to our dream and it's going to sink if the doctor declares him unfit to ride to Ladakh.

In the hospital, the very next day after operation: ...and the nightmare came true, doctor told he should not put any weight on his foot for next 2 months and recommended not to ride for next 5-6 months. I was shattered, so was he.

But as time passed and after talking to senior xbhpians in various g2g's, they told me there's no harm if I rode solo to Leh. Started planning accordingly, specially preparing myself mentally for this big one.

April 2012: at Lavasa chai tapri: Amisdt some talks, Sanjay told me even he was planning a solo ride to Ladakh. It was a really good news and I got a partner again, only difference was he wanted to ride at the end of July instead of June. We exchanged e-mails, talked and discussed hell lotta things.

After some weeks: at Lavasa chai tapri : Sanjay told me his wife (Anuradha) wants to accompany him. I didn't had any issues if she came. So we were 3 now.
As time passed and our planning, reservations, etc. were done, Aniruddha(Viper1089) and Anant Bhatia (Antz.bin) surprised us that they will also be riding to Leh at the same time. So here it was: 5 people and 4 bikes will roll to Leh.

A few days before our ride, Anant changed his decision due to some personal reasons and decided to ride solo in August. He got Leh’d now and is riding back to Pune. Congrats Anant.

The final team:

Left to right: Anuradha, Sanjay, Aniruddha and Me.

Riders -- Rides - Xbhp ID
Sumit -- Yamaha Fazer (Sumit_B)
Sanjay + Anuradha -- RE 350 (Sanj350)
Aniruddha -- Pulsar 220 (Viper 1089)

We were all set, bikes were parcelled to Jammu and were ready with all the preparation. We parcelled the bikes on Monday 16th July, bikes reached Jammu on Friday and we reached on Saturday.

Total cost till Jammu:

Rs.1900 (for 150cc -220 cc) + Rs.350 (packing charges) + Rs. 200 (bribe to Uniform wale gunde) + lot of patience.

Documents required: Photocopies of RC book and valid insurance.



PREPARATION:
For most of our preparation, things to carry, etc, etc. we referred to Leh tour bible aka (trustvishwas) Vishwas uncle's Leh travelog, also referred to Leh logs from other xbhpians, BCMT, Team BHP, 60kph, Devil on wheels, etc. read 'n' number of articles regarding routes, roads, bought maps, downloaded n printed various maps, in short we did our home work properly (we thought so). Since our ride was scheduled for July end, we prepared ourselves for spine chilling rains, but we were lucky, how? Will let you know later in the log.

Bike preparation:
Regular servicing, extra clutch cable tied to the existing one, Eurogrip rear tyre (the same tyre used by Vishwas on his Leh ride), since it was kept unused after his ride, I bought it and am fully satisfied with the performance of the tyre and my bike as well. Thin wire inserted in carb. Since the famous Juma Autombiles in Leh was closed on that day, I got it done from another mechanic named Raul opposite to Leh Airport.



The list of things I took:
Extra clutch and break levers (1 each)
Allen key set, tool box,
Chain spray+cleaner,
Footpump,
extra tube,
puncture repair kit,
BIKE’S EXTRA KEY
Gum boots (bought from Juna bazaar Pune, cost Rs.250.00)
Raincoat set (Duckback, cost Rs.1150, Aundh)
Body warmers (2 upper + 1 lower)
woolen gloves (2 pairs)
6 pair of socks
5 underwears
Three t-shirts,
Two track pants for riding,
One jeans,
Monkey cap,
Canvas shoes, a pair of slippers.
Sunscreen lotion (spf 30+)
Sunglasses
Waterproof gloves, surgical gloves, leather gloves, saddle bag, tailbag, tankbag, riding jacket, thermals, knee guards.
DSLR, digicam, batteries, battery charger, mobile charge, torch, ligher, matchbox, waterbottle, sleeping bag, steelgrip tape, clear tape, cutter, extra plastic pags, m seal, napthaline balls, camphor.
Relispray, moov cream, crepe bandage, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving kit, bathing soap, washing soap, paper soap, dettol, band-aid, bike’s original documents, license, photocopies of important documents, print outs of maps.

Will update the list if I recollect more things.

Original plan:
Day 1: 21st July: Jammu - Patnitop
Day 2: 22nd July: Patnitop - Srinagar
Day 3: 23rd July: Srinagar - Drass/ Kargil
Day 4: 24th July: Drass/ Kargil - Leh
Day 5: 25th July: Permits, Leh - Khardung La - Nubra Valley (Diskit/Hunder)
Day 6: 26th July: Diskit/Hunder - Leh
Day 7: 27th July: Leh - Karu - Spangmik
Day 8: 28th July: Spangmik - Karu - Pang
Day 9: 29th July: Pang - Keylong
Day 10: 30th July: Keylong - Kaza
Day 11: 30th July: Kaza - Puh/ Reckong Peo
Day 12: 31st July: Puh/ Reckong Peo - Shimla or anywhere
Day 13: 1st Aug: Shimla - Ambala
Day 14 & 15: 2nd and 3rd Aug:Buffer / ride to Pune
Day 16: 4th n 5th Aug: Ambala - Pune (train)

The Journey Begins.

Facebook status: "TOURING MODE ACTIVATED"

The execution was very very different from the original plan!!!!
HOW? WHY? WHAT? WHEN? Coming up next...

Till then some more teasers...

Guf-ta-gu at Wagah border




Butt break, Srinagar - Leh Road



Pangong-Tso


Khardung-La top


Khardung-La tigers


Horses and ponies - Sonamarg


Vijay Diwas - Kargil War Memorial


The royal bull

Day 1 coming soon...

Great pics....and you did great deal of preparation for the ride...Congrats on getting Leh'd....

A brief intro from my side

A brief intro from my side
It was an amazing ride. A ride to Leh is always on a biker's mind. Still I had never thought I would do it this very year. All started for me when Antz put the idea of a ride to Leh in my mind a few weeks before the ride began. We were to ride from Amritsar and rendezvous with Sumit and Sanjay at Srinagar.
I agreed to it at first but then it was not to be so.. My CA final results date was declared to be on 18th of July. Due to pressure from all sides including my boss to stay here for the results, I had to drop my plan of riding early with Antz. Finally I decided to go along with Sumit and Sanjay on 20th July and Antz would join us later at Jammu/Srinagar.
Now this was a whole another thing. I kept wondering whether I would be able to enjoy the trip if my result comes negative...
But my dad reassured me that the result would be positive and whatever happens I must not let it affect my ride.
18th of July came. No results were declared. Result postponed to 19th. Damn it! I thought. I was hoping to have a day after my results to mentally prepare myself and to let the effect of results behind.
Finally the day is 19th July. Had to pack a lot of stuff still. We were to leave at 2 am on 20th.
Went out to get some medicines etc. Got my phone out opened the CA institute website and voila results declared... Heart beats racing I keyed in my details & hit submit..
Pass! That was the first word that opened up in the window. I zoomed out checked whether it was really my result.. Yes it was.
And what a start it was to the trip!!
Overjoyed my whole day passed in no time preparing for the trip, answering phone calls etc.
Finally left for Mumbai at 2 am with Sumit, Sanjay and Anuradha in a great mood.
A few pics.
Golden Temple

Dal Lake

Sunset at Dal Lake


My faithful Bike

Stuck at Zojila

Khardung La Top


First View of the Pangong Tso Lake

Blue and Blue......

Moon from Pangong


Pangong Tso in the Evening


A one on the road..

+1

very nice..but i was expecting title somewhat like " Pune to mumbai via Leh Ladakh//" ... i still remember your kanyakumari log//
carry one friend..enjoy and be safe.
regards,
satya

Myside of story

Every hard core biker has a dream of touring to Ladakh, specially its beauty and some tough riding.

During my college days a friend (his dad's) had a very old Bullet 350, which I loved riding, since then I had a dream of owning a RE. But in 2008, I read a blog of a biker who had visited Ladakh, north east, south India solo. Since then I had made a mind to visit the Virgin beauty of Ladakh.

RE cost 1.25 lacs, that itself was a distinct dream, but I kept the hopes and in 2010 I had booked a classic 350 and waited for 10 months to get it. Thanks to my wife who motivated me and helped financially. I got the bike in July 2011 and since then was waiting for an opportunity to ride in Ladakh.

There was a group who was going in May - June 2012 led by an Army man, but due to a major project delivery in could not join them. Then there was RE's "Himalayan Odyssey 2012" announced. By the time I could finalize anything the registration was closed.

Later I thought of Solo ride, but wasn't sure. An one fine day Sumit happen to speak about Leh - Ladakh. He wanted to go and I could not say no.

Since then planning was on and but for some reason I was not happy, because I was not going with the person (my wife) who has supported me when needed and specifically helped a lot in buying the RE. I tried convincing her to come as a pillion, finally she agreed and I spoke to Sumit. He was fine with it.

Planning started, office leave was a give hurdle. I managed to convince my boss and my team. There was a lot of nervousness, I spoke to few people and they motivated me by saying "if you can ride for 10 hours a day, then it is not a big task. You can do it".

We started shopping, booking tickets. I could not inform my side of family because if I do so they would not allow me and lock my bike with a chain. It was a big risk, but I had to take it.

Prepared the bike and parceled it on 16th of July by Indian Railway.

On 19th I informed them that I was leaving for Delhi for a conference and will return after a week or so; and informed that my wife is tagging along.

Finally the journey started

Awesum stuff guys... Keep it coming...

hahaha... thx a lott. Angrezi kudiyaas and that too we all rode together to Roof of the World

Thanks Daredemon.

LOL! Pune to Mumbai via Leh-Ladakh! Next time for sure.
Thanks.

Thanks for contributing.

Lucky you...

excellent pictures and write up bro....made my thirst for Leh grew up more....don't know when will I be getting the opportunity to ride on the top of the world..

Even I used to think/ wonder the same after reading Leh tlogs till last summer. I started planning around November 2011 and see, now I am a graduate from KhardungLa . All you need is money, a plan, lil preparation, a bike and 20 days of freedom.
Anyways, thank you for the compliments.

D-Day

Day 1, Friday, July 20:
Travelling in train = slow torcher.
Fly, ride, but do not sit in a metal container running on iron bars to travel. (personal opinion )

Woke up at 2.00 AM, met our gang at 3.00 AM and left for Mumbai. We travelled from Mumbai to Jammu by train. Crossed Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and finally Jammu. A long boring journey. Phew!!

DAY 2, Saturday, Friday, July 21:
Afternoon: high temperature + bad news = disappointment.

Jammu was hot like hell. Reached Jammu around 3.15 PM and a bad news was already awating us. Sanjay lost his parcel receipt and the officer at Jammu station parcel department was not at all ready to give away the bike even after he had all the original documents. We pleaded again and again, made sad, innocent face, gave pity expressions, showed ourselves helpless but not even a single iota of positive signal from him.
The babu asked us to get a copy of the receipt from Pune, then go to the local court, get an affadavit to release the bike. Since it was Saturday, Pune railway parcel department was already closed, we had no option left but to wait till Monday. Oh boy! Here goes our buffer days. Me and Viper took our bikes and booked a hotel room near Jammu Station. Talked to friends and other contacts in Pune if there's a way out, all in vain.

Evening: Lotta phone calls and a new plan.

Me n viper never saw the Golden temple, hence Sanjay - Anuradha told us to ride to Amritsar on Sunday and in the meanwhile they will give a try to get the bike. Incase if they are not successful, they will also come to Amritsar by bus, spend entire Sunday there, back to Jammu on Monday to release the bike and if possible, ride to Patnitop on the same day or start to Srinagar on Tuesday morning.

DAY 3, Sunday, July 22: Ride begins: Jammu --> Amritsar.
Coming up next.

yup....congrats for that ...lets see plan and prep is fine right now money and time is the main factor....

one word - GLUED...keep them coming !

Thanks. Next lot up by tomorrow.

30 posts and the ride is yet to begin??? Baapre!! How much time do you guys take?